Insights Gleaned from Associated Press' Exposé on Afghan Refugees Settled in Virginia
A Tale of Disrupted Lives: The Impact of Refugee Policies on Afghans
In the heart of Virginia, a troublesome dance between military ties, faith communities, and the government has come to the forefront. The suspension of the federal refugee program under the Trump administration has left many Afghans, who collaborated with the U.S. during the war, in a state of upheaval. This turmoil is particularly poignant in Fredericksburg, where a blend of military history, resettled Afghans, and religious groups coexist.
The city, teeming with veterans and active military personnel, also happens to be the state that's resettled the most Afghan refugees per capita. Yet, the Trump administration's shift in immigration policies has sent ripples through the lives of these Afghans and those who seek to aid them.
The Bitter Pill of Policy Changes
Resettlement agencies have been grappling with uncertainty since the Trump administration froze federal funds and banned most incoming refugees in January 2021. Across the country,this has led to layoffs and closures of resettlement organizations. For Afghans eagerly awaiting the arrival of family members, their anticipation has been often met with a sense of indefinite delay. Some Afghans, who had already made their way to the U.S., are now facing the prospect of deportation, as the Trump administration revokes their Temporary Protected Status.
Kat Renfroe, wife of a retired Marine, heads the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, linked to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. She acknowledges the sense of disillusionment among military families as they look back on 20 years of service, during a time marked by confusion and even anger.
A Fading Partnership
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, traditionally a key partner in federal refugee resettlement work, cut ties in April 2021 after the Trump administration halted federal funding. Despite this setback, the Fredericksburg Catholic Charities office has managed to stay afloat, owing to support from its diocese and state funds. However, the future remains unclear without federally-funded arrivals or additional refugees.
A Heritage of Religious Service
Faith-based groups have played a pivotal role in refugee resettlement throughout U.S. history. Seven out of ten national organizations collaborating with the government for refugee resettlement were of religious origin. Local affiliates and congregations aided them in their efforts.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, a tireless advocate for refugees for the past 50 years, began its work with Vietnamese refugees following the fall of Saigon. In recent years, most of their clients have been Afghans, with an influx arriving in 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power. Local faith groups have extended a helping hand, providing essential support to Afghan newcomers, such as furnishing homes, offering meals, and driving families to appointments.
A Call to Care Beyond Politics
Veterans and military members, typically affiliated with the Republican party, and white evangelical Southern Baptists, loyal to Trump, might find it surprising that their faith communities remain steadfast in their support for refugees. As Pillar Church, a network of 16 Southern Baptist churches, ministers to military members, they see an obligation to those who served America in its mission overseas.
While some may raise eyebrows at this unexpected stance, Pillar founding pastor Colby Garman channels the sentiments shared by Rev. Jake Rogers, explaining that their commitment to refugees is rooted in their faith, regardless of their stance on refugee policy.
The Last Armenian on the Bus
Suraya Qaderi, the last client to arrive at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington before the U.S. government halted new arrivals, was in Qatar waiting for her flight when the Trump administration began canceling travel plans for refugees. Qaderi, who worked with the election commission in Afghanistan and received a special immigrant visa for her close ties to the U.S. government, arrived in Virginia on January 24, 2021 - the day the administration issued stop-work orders to resettlement agencies.
With TPS set to terminate in 2025 and SIV applications under increased scrutiny, the future of Afghan refugees remains uncertain. Whether it's the immediate concerns of displaced Afghans or the broader implications of immigration policies, one truth remains undeniable: the ripple effects of these changes will reach far beyond the borders of war-torn countries and into the hearts of communities like Fredericksburg.
- In the wake of the Trump administration's freeze on federal funds and ban on most incoming refugees, resettlement agencies across the country, such as the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office linked to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, have faced uncertainty and challenges, leading to layoffs and closures.
- The Trump administration's shift in immigration policies, including revoking Temporary Protected Status for some Afghans, has caused disillusionment among military families, particularly veterans and active military personnel in cities like Fredericksburg, Virginia, which resettled the most Afghan refugees per capita.
- Despite the Trump administration's halting of federal funding for refugee resettlement in April 2021, faith-based groups like Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, with a long history of service to refugees, have persevered and continued their work in communities like Fredericksburg, receiving support from dioceses and state funds, while awaiting the arrival of federally-funded refugees or additional refugees.
